TAS Students Shine at IASAS Art, Film, and Model United Nations Cultural Conventions

From November 6 to 9, Taipei American School students stepped into a world of creativity, collaboration, and global connection as they traveled to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur for this year’s IASAS Cultural Conventions. Whether they were debating world issues, shaping clay tiles, filming under pressure, or learning from internationally recognized artists, students spent the week stretching their skills and discovering what they are capable of. 

Art and Film in Singapore: A Week of Making, Exploring, and Connecting 

Sixteen students represented TAS at the IASAS Art and Film Convention at Singapore American School. For many, the moment they walked into the venue was unforgettable: the room filled with colors, textures, cameras, unfinished sketches, and students from across the IASAS network eager to create something meaningful together. 

Art: Creating With Curiosity and Purpose 

The eight visual artists came prepared with pieces they had been developing for months, but the real adventure began once they joined workshops that pushed them beyond familiar techniques. Students experimented with new materials and artistic traditions, exploring: 

• Mixed media wall hangings inspired by traditional kites from across Asia. 

• Peranakan tile design, where students slowed down, sketched carefully, and experimented with slip-trailing for the first time. 

• Textile tufting is a favorite among participants who love seeing their designs transform from a drawing into a textured, tactile rug or wall hanging. 

Throughout the week, students kept returning to the same theme: trying something unfamiliar makes creativity feel more alive. 

Film: Storytelling Under Pressure and Under Bright Lights 

For the eight filmmakers, the highlight was seeing their TAS-produced short films on the red carpet alongside work from other IASAS schools. But the most memorable challenge came next. Working with students they had barely met, filmmakers wrote, shot, and edited a complete short film in just three days. It was a crash course in trust, teamwork, and quick problem-solving. 

Students also learned from an inspiring group of guest filmmakers and artists, including: 

• Sam Lo, whose storytelling through public art sparked conversations about identity and place. 

• Kavin Kapoor, TAS, Class of 2020, shared how curiosity led him from TAS classrooms to Google Creative Lab. 

• He Shuming and Boo Junfeng are two celebrated filmmakers whose insights helped students see the emotional power behind everyday moments on screen. 

By the end of the convention, students walked away with new skills, new friendships, and a sense of pride in the work they created together. 

Model United Nations in Kuala Lumpur: Diplomacy in Motion 

While artists and filmmakers were working in Singapore, another group of TAS students was deep in debate at the International School of Kuala Lumpur for the IASAS MUN Cultural Convention. For three days, delegates stepped into the role of diplomats, negotiating solutions to global challenges while learning to speak with precision, listen with intention, and collaborate under pressure. 

The pace was fast, and the topics were complex, but students embraced the challenge. Committee rooms were filled with strong perspectives, creative resolutions, and energized discussions that reminded students why they love MUN. Across every session, they strengthened their research, communication, and leadership skills in authentic and meaningful ways. 

Growing as Artists, Thinkers, and Global Citizens 

Across both conventions, TAS students represented the school with enthusiasm, curiosity, and heart. They learned to advocate, create, take risks, and support one another. These experiences reflect the TAS mission to cultivate learning, personal well-being, and service, and they advance our Schoolwide Learning Outcomes by helping students grow as critical and creative thinkers, collaborative communicators, and globally minded contributors. 

Congratulations to all students and faculty advisors who made this week of artistic and academic discovery possible.